Thread: Kappus "Aloe Vera" & "Nautik" Shaving Cream

We have an enabler in our midst. scoof keeps providing me with stuff I would never have tried on my own. His latest shipment contained a German cream of all things. I had never even seen it, which is a bit strange:

The Kappus-Group produces approximately 35,000 tons (350 million pieces) of soap yearly at 3 production sites in Offenbach (Hessen), Riesa (Sachsen) and Krefeld (NRW), making it the largest soap manufacturer in Germany.

Interesting. Their products get good to excellent reviews across the board, so it was with confidence that I dipped my well soaked best badger brush into the sampler tub...

Packaging: n/a, because I received a sample. The pictures I have found of this tube look, well, not breathtaking, but then again, this is a low budget item, and I have nothing against tubes as such. But, and here comes the big plus, the tube is 75ml - perfect for travelling on planes!

Texture: Almost perfect. Smooth but malleable with a best badger, and also works with a super badger. Getting small amounts out of the tiny sampler tub was not a problem - I think that is an excellent result.

Scent: The Aloe Vera is extremely nice, and much like Edwin Jagger's (which I love). The Nautik is... hard to describe. Fresh, but more mono-dimensional, like a bottom line shower gel. I would definitely go for the Aloe Vera.

Latherability: Astonishing. In a "very, very good" sense. Forgiving with regards to the amount of water used. Very easy to lather in two steps (little water, then a few extra drops), et voilà. Absolutely the best value for money in any cream of its class, and certainly a match for even some of the high price creams.

Cushion: Not the best in the world, but still enough. The problem is that you can get a very good cushion with relatively dry lather, but this lather will dry up before I can finish a full shave. So I use more water, and the price I have to pay is a less-than-perfect but still more-than-I-actually-need cushion.

Moisturising: Both excellent, with the Aloe Vera winning the price for best-bang-for-buck. By leaps and bounds.

Price: Gentlemen, fasten your seat belts. The cream can be had for €2-3 in pharmacies and drug stores. I could find one for USD 3.8 in Canada. This is absolutely fantastic value for money.

Overall impression: A very pleasant surprise, this one. Highly recommended for beginners, and anyone on a budget. An affordable high performance cream with a pleasant scent (the Aloe Very variety).

As far as performance is concerned, this cream is ok--I have no problems with it at all. The lather is rich and stable, and it has pretty good skincare. The scent is not really my thing, but I can tolerate it, and the price is quite reasonable.